Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-12-10
WHICH WILL HE MARRY ?

1t was time for the o'clock stage.
Mehetabel Bentley, severe spinster of
fifty, arrayed in habiliments of somber
black, sat by the window over which the
purple plumes Of lilac nodded saucily,
watching for it to make its appearance
over the brow of the hill. In it were to
come from the city her brothers two
daughters, Rachel and Celia Later, from
an opposite direction, the daughter of a
deceased sister was expected.
She had sent them an invitation a week
ago, and as she was very wealthy wo-
man, although residing in small country
village along with her birds, cats and two
servants, she had every reason to believe
that they would be prompt in obeying
her behest, especially as she had given
each one a hint as to her motive for send
ing for them at this particular season of
the year
She was not patient woman, and as
the tall old clock in the hall solemnly
tolled out in its deep, sonorous voice the
hour of four, she arose, and dropping her
her lap, on the floor, unmindful that
Tabby, her favorite cat, was sending the
ball of yarn over the carpet, she went out
into the hall and shading her dim ewes
with one nervous hand glanced up the
road. A moving something was visible.
She recognized it as the rumbling old We
hicle that carried the mail and passengers
to and from Blackberryville, the inappro-
pirate, if euphonious name the citizens
had bestowed upon the wideawake hamlet,
inasmuch as there was not bush bearing
the delicious Ethiopian fruit within a
mile of its precincts.
Not one of the girls had Miss Bentley
ever seen. She had never visited them,
and they had never been asked to her
country home before. What were they
like? Were they fashionably dressed,
automatic-like creatures of society, with
frivolous tastes and idle ways? Or were
they gifted with common sense and given
to industry, as the prospective wife of Guy
Winters ought to be?
49, she pondered the question somewhat
anxiously in her mind, the stage drew up
in front of the gate. Two ladies in plain
travelling suits alighted, and Miss Bentley
advanced to meet them Just as John
jumped off his elevated seat and grum-
blingly lifted the heavy Saratoga" to the
ground.
"Big enough to hold the choir of
Blackberryville Church." he snarled, as
he carried it, with the assistance of Miss
Bentley's man-of-all work, into the house.
Miss Bentley, too, eyed it with disfavor
For 4 few days solOurn In the country,
where the women are moi serfs 10 fashion
it certainly did present a rather formid-
ment-only held out her hand to the two
girls and murmured few words of well
come.
"Such delightful place, aunt" gush-
irgly cried the elder and taller of the two
girls as she lifted her veil from the face
which the woman had not ventured to
kiss" a perfect bUou. Look, Celial The
fields are as green as an emerald, and that
sheet of water below, with the sun warm
ing it up, is like a magnifed sapphire! 1t
must be pond | wonder if the fragrant
water-lily grows on its bosom. 1t was so
good of you to send for us, aunt. We
shall be perfectly happy here"
81 hope so, truly" said Miss Bentley,
rather dryly, to whom the voice sounded a
bit insincere. at is awfully lonesome
here for girls who have been bred in the
city. No parties, no beaux, no -"
She could not get further in her SEN
tence. The girl called Celia threw up her
hands and gave an affected little shrek.
Don't, auntie, | beg We have been
surfeited with parties and received so
much homage from brainless young tops
that | never want to see another specimen
Of the genus homo Men, unless they have
brains, are bores. Oh, my what lovely
flowers at the window What do you call
them, aunt?"
"Lilacs," CURLY replied the spinster.
You ought to know. You lived in the
country till you were 10 years old, and no
yard is without them. Don't pretend to
be ignorant of the names of things grow
ing in the country, Celia. 1t shows lack
Of common sense, which you admire so
much in the opposite sex. But come you
must be tired Let me conduct you to
your room. You'll have time to rest 4
little before tea. Your cousin Lucy will
be here shortly"
"Indeedl' calculated Rachel, with the
least perceptible curl of the lip. you
mean our country cousin, | suppose? |
have never seen her"
"And | was not aware that you expected
her, aunt" said Celia. " Is she dowdy :?
Most country girls are | beg your par
don," as Aunt Alehetabel's eyes flashed
ominously. | mean when brought up in
the wilderness, as Lucy has been. They
say her home is encompassed by woods
Oh-hw prolonging the exclamation to its
utmost, as, after toiling up single flight
Of stairs, they were ushered into dainty
apartment and left alone, +" | am so tired !
And what homely old-fashioned room
this is. Goodness! what a high-posted
bedstead this is. How'll we ever get into
it tonight? And look at those scraggv
green leaves in the vase where flowers
should be- Pm sure they're alive with
worms. I'm tempted to toss them out
Mercy how viii We ever manage to exist
here? If aunt wasn't so rich, and | afraid
she'd leave me out of her will, I'd start for
home in the morning"
Rachel complacently made answer: "I'm
satisfied with the prospect. Its a horrid old
place, and aunt's penurious old thing, else
she wouldn't stay here, with all the money
shes got. Pve an object in view, so shan't
mind the dullness of Blackberryville for
while. Have you forgotten? Aunt init
mated to us that the one who was so for
tunate as to win the affections of
Guy Winters, son of the man she was en-
gagged to marry, but for some unaccount-
able reason did not, should have her prop
erty. Now, l happen to know that this
Guy Winters is worth winning. I've seen
mis- photograph, and Eve heard Eta Bayne
speak of him. He is as handsome as that
NEUROLOGICAL parsonage Apollo was said to
be-A rising young lawyer in Buffalo
and / mean TO marry him. Don't sheer. l
am prettier than you, and ! have more
tact. You are lamentably wanting in it,
Celia, as you must acknowledge. But,
bark / hear wheels Who's coming :?
1t must be Gny Winters or Lucy. l Won
der how she looks? I've nothing to fear,
though, from country girl. They're in
Fariably awkward--yes, it must be Lucy"